Bowl Card (The Bowl Season)

[Irish]

Utah (+3) over Cal
Well one thing looking at last night you have to thin the PAC-10 may be a little overrated in the talent department and you get another match up of PAC-10 vs Mountain West. 1st off you have to like the way Utah plays defense against the pass and they lead the Mountain west in interceptions. This is a nice stat because Riley might not play to well considering he is not the best passer and relied on having a BIG running attack to make the Cals bus go. The guy has four picks in the last four games and is completing about 52%. No Best is not the problem I originally thought it would be because they have the same type of back in Vereen. Things you have to like are the way Utah seems to get up for bowl games, they look at these games in a different light and the extra time to prepare really gives them a nice advantage. Common Opp, AT Oregon this Utah team lost by 7, while the bears lost by 35! Hell at home Cal lost to Org st by 16, Utah stayed with BYU only losing by 3. So last nights match up should show Utah looks like the better team. The Utes did get stomped by TCU but I think that is just a testiment how good TCU is this season. The Utes have won 8 straight bowl games, which has included wins over Alabama, USC, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh. A positive is Cal has a big weapon on their sideline, the old offensive Co for Utah is now calling plays for Cal. He knows this offense and could be a huge key in slowing them down. Cal has a weak secondary which allows 260.1 yards over the air. Thays good for the Utah QB Wynn who should have a big day and is 2-0 in this stadium playing there while in highschool. Will Cal really be up for playing in this game? I think Org St was a little disappointed to be this deep in the bowl season and Cal might see this game as a formality to closing the season. I like the utah defense in this game, the Utes are ranked 20th in the NCAA plus they can get the interceptions. I think both teams can play the run well enough, which means who can take advantage of the secondary better and that looks like Utah. Cal runs the ball behind Vereen but it will come down to Riley to make plays on a consistant basis and I do not think he does that well enough tonight. Utah will enjoy playing the role of the underdog again even thought they are the higher ranked team. I like the Utes to win this game but considering the youth in big positions and the offensive Co now at Cal I'll take the points. Two players in Wide and Reed have hit the 1000 yard mark and they are going to spell trouble for the Cal defense. The key is keeping Cal guessing, mix up the play call and don't allow the defense to gain any confidence. That will lead to points and PRESSURE for the offense to feel they have to keep pace and that could help slow the bears down.

SERIES FACTS
Games Played: 6
Series Record: Cal leads, 4-2-0
First Meeting: 10/16/1920, 63-0 Cal
Last Meeting: 9/11/03, 31-24 Utah
Current Streak: Utah win one
Tedford vs. Utah: 0-1

The Bears are 17-10 overall against the six current members of the MWC the Golden Bears have played. Cal is a perfect 3-0 against current MWC teams in bowl games, most recently as a 42-36 winner over Air Force at the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. Cal also defeated BYU, 35-28, at the 2005 Las Vegas Bowl and Wyoming, 17-15, at the 1990 Copper Bowl in Tucson, Ariz. Utah is 2-2 against Pac-10 schools in the postseason, with wins over Arizona in the 1994 Freedom Bowl and Southern California in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl. Losses were to Washington State in the 1992 Copper Bowl and USC in the 1993 Freedom Bowl.

Cheers
Irish

 

[joefrog91]

Glad you're on them as well Irish. Good Luck!

:mj06:

 

[thardhitter]

you shouldnt compare teams utah is not byu. last night was a different game with different conditions. just some insight bud.

 

[Irish]

Where did I compare Utah to BYU? I stated the match-up between BYU and Utah was a 3 point game while the match up between Cal and Org St was all Org St. As for last night, both teams had to play in the conditions and BYU was the better team. If anything I was looking at common opp, and like conference situations. GL on your play and thanks for the insight.

Thanks Frog, good luck to you as well.

 

[thardhitter]

good luck to you also. this is the phrase i was talking about. Well one thing looking at last night you have to thin the PAC-10 may be a little overrated in the talent department and you get another match up of PAC-10 vs Mountain West. in all honestly u cant compare the two. ths is a hard game to cap and i probably want play it. if i did i would have to side with cal. i will not depend on a freshman are inexperienced qb in a bowl game. the line is now 2.5 and i actually like cal in this spot. but again gl man.

 

[big papi]

Lang is on Utah!

 

[Irish]

Big Papi.... SHIT!

Well there is hope, a broken watch is right twice a day.

Cheers
Irish

 

[joefrog91]

Lang is on Utah!

:scared (Key the scary music)

 

[bej0101]

what a great writeup..thanks...utah it is..gl:toast:

 

[Irish]

(1-0)

(1-0)

Nevada (-15) over SMU
Got this before the running backs were pulled out but I like this to the tune of around a twenty point win. What I like here is in many games this season the back ups have gotten a lot of run. I am allso happy with the offensive line over the SMU defense. The Mustangs are allowing 169.2 yards per game (to rank 88th nationally), and are allowing 29.1 points per game (90th). Add in that Colin Kapernick is a senior and has a very good comand of this pistol offense. Wolf Pack averaged 195.5 yards per game on the ground. During its eight wins, Nevada averaged 445.6 rushing yards per game. Nevada still leads the nation in rushing. Alot of this is generated by Kapernicks ability to read defenses and make the correct decision. So the loses of the running backs is an issue but not a big issue in my mind. Starting for SMU is a freashman QB, Levi Mitchell went out and this kid stepped in and I also think this game will be a little too much for him. Now Nevada is terrible against the pass but they do have the players that can rush the paser and cause problems. Away from home SMU is 2-4 and lost to some bad teams in Washington State. Looking at this game I see Navada as below Boise and TCU by a big margin but I also see they can score in a hurry. This game should mean a lot of points but I just think Nevada is more productive over the course of the game and pull away. One of the reasons Nevada is poor against the pass is they get up on teams by a big margin and the other team has to pass and as a result excess yards and scores. Still Nevada has a good enough defense to generate some stops and I think the wolfpack only slows them selves down in this game. Kapernick and theat offense scores two or three for one all night. They pull away and considering SMU has not been in a bowl this game will be something they are not used to and Nevada has a solid record of playing well in post season. I also think the coachin match up goes to Nevada and the current hall of fame coach, while June Jones might be enjoying his old stomping ground a bit too much.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

(1-1)

(1-1)

Not too much time for write ups headed out to a family function but.....

Ohio (-3) over Marshall
I think this comes down to want to and I don't think Marshall will be as happy to be in this bowl as ohio will be. The navada game taught me a huge lesson, teams that want to play will beat teams that think they have to play hands down and Nevada did not care about that game. I like the speed difference in this game, ohio not big but they have a few burners. The herd have something to play for in my eyes because they just signed a coach and considering this guy is a VERY great recruiter in the florida area some guys may want to show up or they will be shown out the door. Still I like the offense of Ohio. I also think Marshall is easy to defend, blitz all day cover the tight end and play run defense.

UNC (+3) over Pitt
I honestly think this game comes down to TJ Yates. Thats it... if Yates plays well they win this game. If he does not then I will need a little help. I think the UNC defense will be all over the running attack. That also means Stull will be able to throw the ball down field and UNC is weak in the secondary. Just like I said UNC has to bring a ton of heat so Pitt will be able to hit a home run type play so can Yates consistantly make enough plays to get the heels in the endzone and allow the defense to keep putting more and more pressure on the Pitt offense. I do not think Yates will have a great game but I know Davis will make it easy for him. They crazy plays they have set into motion to get the run game going will be the same type of plays they use to make sure yates doesn't kill them all day. Lot the UNC TE in this match up and I also like the stretch plays that can get UNC to the edge and away from the middle or strength of the pitt defense. One thing I have to think about... is Pitt sitting there thinking lets roll UNC or are they thinking if we did not lose to WVU or Cincy we are playing in a much bigger game? You look at UNC and you see two defensiveline players that should be first round draft picks if they come out plus a great MLB. They have youth and speed and experience and power. BUT the defensse cannot win the game for UNC, they need just a little help from the offense, Hell the defense might be able to win this game on their own if the offense gets out of the way and doesn't make big mistakes. Now Pitt is a hellova team but they did finish the season losing to Cincy and WVU. Looking at the game line up who did they beat of value? Rutgers, S. Fla, ND, UConn I would say they are solid good middle of the road teams but they are not showing me they deserved to be in a big bowl game. I am not a big ACC fan but the one thing I think the conference is pretty good at is putting together teams with fast tough defenses, something I am not sure the big east can do. I know WVU had a good defense but who is going pro from WVU on defense? Miami, GT, FSU, Clemson, UNC, VT these teams put NFL players on the defense side of the ball every year. I think UNC has a huge advantage on defense but like I said one player and one player alone is the big question mark TJ Yates.

USC (-7.5) over BC
BC on the road is a bad team. USC will have no reason to play which means BC will more than likely give them a scare but honestly I am sure not one player in the USC locker room is happy about this season and they know that looking bad in this game will be a joke. I think they overlook BC but still hammer them because BC is not fast enough on offense or defense to stay with the players from USC. If someone cal tell me one position that BC is better at than USC I will be impressed. This is a classic NFL tape game for a lot of these players. The o-line will be too big and strong and open up holes for one of the ten running backs that can out run the BC defense. I don't think the USC QB comes into play until way later when the game is all firmly in the hands of the running attak and then he can find guys down field against a 8 or 9 man box. The line screams USC is not taking this game too seriously but finishing the season with that poor of a record should scare this team into playing one more hard game and if they play hard they are by far the better team on the field.

Small hoops play..
WVU (-3.5) over Seton

Hope everyone had a great christmas

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

(4-2)

(4-2)

Sorry guys can't really complete a write up... having bad abdominal pains, fever, cold sweats been sick all morning.

Kentucky (+7) over Clemson
I like the defense of the SEC to know how to slow down the running game of Clemson. You take Spiller away and Kentucky might have a shot to win this but I think Kentucky will want this game.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

4-3

4-3

WOW now that was a flu bug! Holy shit!

Texas A&M (+7) over Georgia
Well looking at the money most of it is on geogia and yet I see the line has gone from 7 to 6.5. The geogia coaching staff had to be let go because the team did not do as well as expected this season. In fact Geogia has not had a defense this season but looking at this game another team with a lack luster defense from the SEC HAMMERED A&M and thats Arkansas. Georgia's defense average of 26.4 points to rank 10th in the SEC. But this is not the problem, the problem is Texas A&M allowed points (32.7) and total yards (431.3) per game. So tonight there is NO defense, but there is Von Miller the only bright spot on a terrible defense, this guy is a sack monster and considering Cox has tossed 16 picks a little pressure on him might mean the aggies defense looks better than they are. Even if Miller does not get to the QB that does mean the bulldogs are gonna slide protection to his side which will take the TE or RB out of the play and means less people for the young secondary of A&M to cover. This is a lot to think about for Richt, the guy fired a lot of coaches which means he has to be more involved in the game planning and that means less attention to every detail. Texas A&M leads the all-time series with Georgia, 3-1, but most of these games happened a long time ago. A&M has been on a cold streak in their last bowls losing the last three buit they also were on a dry spell having not gone to a bowl game since 2007. This team will be hungry to get this win in my opinion. ONE huge problem for this play is A&M is not the best road team Louisianna isn't far but it is not a home field. Away the Aggies were 1-3 and loses to Colorado and Kansas St make me very nervous on this play. Georgia is 3-3 on the road and they have more of an impressive line up when looking at who they played. Also the one comon opp is Arkansas, A&M lost and Georgia won. Of the georgia wins 4 of them were 7 points or less. 2 of the wins by more than 7 were Tenn Tech and Vandy so I am not so impressed by that and the final win was an 11 point win over Ark. So we have to think this comes down to offense, Joe Cox is a 56% passer with 22 TD's and 16 picks, Jerrod Johnson is a 60% passer with 28 TD's and 6 picks. But Johnson has also rushed for over 400 yards and 8 TD's. I think this game comes down to who makes the mistakes and finishes drives. I like the triple option and ability for A&M to mix things up more than Georgia. I like that Georgia is not the most difficult offense to predict and the Aggies defense even though they will give up yards can hold them on a few drives. I think Von Miller will be a disruption for Cox the whole game and I think getting a TD against Georgia is a solid amount considering A&M is hungry to be in this game and Georgia is used to so much better in bowl season. This should be a fun game to watch and I think the aggies win, but considering the lack of defense and georgias talent level I like getting the 7.

Cheers
Irish

 

[AR182]

irish....

dropping by to wish you luck & good health for the new year....:mj06:

 

[Irish]

4-4... thanks A&M special teams coach

4-4... thanks A&M special teams coach

UCLA (-4.5) over Temple
Small reason Ohio the team that beat Temple looked down right bad against a Marshall team I was not high on. Both teams will want the win. Have to think UCLa has more talent and speed than Temple.

Miami (-3) over Wisky
I think Wiscky has been an overrated team all season and Miami has been the most under or over achieving week to week. Still I am going with the speed of Miami on offense and defense to be a big problem for Wisky. Wisky will run the ball but I think if miami is coached on it they can stop this run atleast at the LB level. Look for #44 to have a big game against the run tonight. Also a nice few weeks off lets the miami offense game plan for just this defense gives a very dangerous offensive Co the oppertunity to use his caseload of weapons and a QB that has a lot of ability.

Gonna throw this out there now......
OREGON (-3.5) over Ohio State
HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! almost 1/3 of my bank. I will continue to put $$ on it up to almost 7. I love this play. The last few games against teams with speed the Ohio state defense could not handle themselves. They have suspensions and are playing a team VERY hungry for this win after starting the season with a loss to Boise. Oregon has the edge on offense as they will be able to pass and misdirection all day on an Ohio state defense that is good at clogging up the middle but poor on the edges. They hammered the USC team that beat Ohio st in the dreaded shoe. In the last few trips to bowls ohio state has been outright beaten by speed. Florida did it and so did LSU. Also a funny little note, Ohio state did not play N'Western so to my understanding they have not played a team with a real wide open type offense. Some will say oh Michigan runs a spread, but they do it with a freshman QB and players that are not right for it, this is a different monster and will be productive in this game. For some reason I think this game is a 40-20 type game because you have an offense of oregon that can score a lot and on almost every play passing or running and an ohio state team that runs the ball with a touch of pass but can stall on drives. Add in the fact that pryor has an ligament tear (I think it is BS) and the ducks will try to get after him with pressure. You can pass on the ducks, thats no secret but if you want to line up and run on them then ask Cal how that went. If they know what the team is going to do they can slow it down defensively. I may be wrong but I am in love with this duck team in this game against this type of team.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

(5-5)

(5-5)

BG (-1) vs Idaho
Well looking at this game Idaho will have by far more want in this game. Still I don't think they can cover the passing game of BG, I expect a lot of points but in the long run I think BG spreads them out and picks them apart. Sheehan has thrown for a career-high 3,664 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. And no one is better in this game than WR Barnes. This is a game that could be very close. One big factor in my mind is momentum and Idaho finished the season with 3 loses. BG won 6 of their last 7 games. There should be a ton of offense but I am going with a better system and a team that might be more efficent. Both teams give up a ton of yards but Idaho's QB has 9 turnovers last years and in the 30's over the previous two seasons!

Nebraska (+1) over Arizona
What I learned last night is speed means nothing if you are on the QB before they have a chance to use it. Suh and the Nebraska defense should be all over this Arizona offense. I think a big difference is Nebraska has played tough defenses all season so the defense of Arizona really wont scare them. Nebraska is second in the Football Bowl Subdivision in points allowed at 11.2 per game and ninth in total defense, giving up an average of 284.5 yards. Suh should have won the heisman and will make it very uncomfortable for Foles. The power of Nebraskas o-line establishes the run and the power of the defense stops Arizona in what they try to accomplish. Something I REALLY like... look closely at the Iowa game Arizona played earlier this season. I know it was not with Foles in but what I like about the game is how the Arizona line had trouble blocking against the Iowa D-line. This is something that I think is underrated because what DLine in the PAC really put the pressure on the Arizona QB? I really can't think of one and tonight I think that this Nebraska defenseive line should be a game changer... just like Wisky's last night (unfortunatly for me)

Cheers
Irish

 

[RAYMOND]

GL:00hour

 

[Irish]

(6-6) Thought I was on the right side with BG, until they played the last 34 seconds.

(6-6) Thought I was on the right side with BG, until they played the last 34 seconds.

Houston (-4.5) over Air Force
These teams played in the bowl last year and the score was 34-28. Air Force, in its third consecutive Armed Forces Bowl, has allowed only 149 yards passing a game even after giving up 377 in its regular-season finale at BYU. Last year Air Force held Keenum under 300 yards passing. Houstons defense is trash and again I think this game is a very high offensive production game but I think it will look a lot like last years game. I am going with the better team in this game and thats Houston, I would like to have it more around the 3 area but I like what I have seen from houston at times..... Then again at times I think they look like a team that thinks they are owed the win and don't try. Houston has lost four of their last five. Air Force is 0-6 at TCU stadium. It is simple, Houston comes in ready to play and they are energetic and get on top of Air force early and on defense play with even more passion early so they get the ball back on offense and get a lead OR They lose... Because if Air Force is not forced to play from behind, they can eat the clock they have IMO the better shot to win this game. Last year they keep the ball for 38 mins, if they do that this year, I think I am in big trouble. Still I think Sumlin gets his boys going and they come out hot.

Oklahoma (-10) over Stanford
OK the big 12 / Pac 10 showdown last night kind of gave me the reason for this chalk. First I though 10 was a lot to give a good stanford team even with a back up or banged up QB. But looking at this I am not sure the Stanford line will be up for the Oklahoma defense. Hell even if they are up to stopping Oklahomas rush defense I do not think the Stanford defense is good enough to slow down Oklahoma to the point where they can win this game. Oklahoma ranks seventh in total defense, surrendering 273.5 yards a contest. Top rush defenses in the country in Oklahoma, which ranks seventh in that category by allowing 88.6 yards per game. Oklahoma is 3-1 against Stanford. Seems the world is on Stanford, 72% of my books money but the spread has moved in the wrong direction and stayed at this 10 spot. I am sure this is the game johnny public wins because I got screwed on this trend in the miami game. Okie sucks recently in bowls but I have to think they can turn that around against a run only team, with a QB that just had pins taken out of his hand or a QB that had not played all season.

Mizzou (-6.5) over Navy
Just one reason... I think they have played better against better teams.. still worried about the amount of chalk.

Minny (-2.5) over Iowa St
Iowa St has not impressed me outside an unreal win at Nebraska. Other than that they have lost to every team with a pulse. The Cyclones were 11th in the Big 12 in scoring (21.1) and eighth in total offense (376.3). This is a running team... Minny stacks the box and then they can stop or slow it down. Even though Minny is not great they still have some talent on defense and can slow down the run. No Decker always scares me but I just do not think The iowa State defense is good enough in this game. Common team played was Iowa... the gophers gave up 12 points, the cyclones gave up 30 plus... Iowa st played the hawkeyes with their starting QB, the gophers did not. Still I think pound for pound if both teams want the win the gophers are the play.

VT (-4.5) over Tenn
This is going to be a fun game to watch if you like defense. Both teams like to run the ball both teams have very good runners AND there is a 43% chance of rain. Hardesty vs Williams, will be a great match up and I think Crompton has looked better of late but in the QB comparison I think Taylor has more up side. He can make plays with his feet. Good game can go either way but I like the hokies to get the plays in special teams and get Compton out of his comfort zone.
ASLO
VT/TENN UNDER (49)

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

TCU (-7) over Boise
Been ice cold but this this is the right side.

Cheers
Irish

 

[AR182]

TCU (-7) over Boise
Been ice cold but this this is the right side.

Cheers
Irish

glad to see that we agree irish....


good luck & happy new year....